Officials with Victoria Health are warning the public of a new imported measles case in the Melbourne area. The confirmed case of measles has spent significant time in the following places while infectious.
- April 16 2018 – Qantas Flight QF36 Singapore – Melbourne (Tullamarine) arriving 6.40am
- April 16 2018 – Melbourne Tullamarine Airport arrivals, baggage claim and shuttle bus area 6.40-7.30am
- April 21 2018 – Wildcats Basketball Stadium located at Eltham High School from 4.45-6.00pm.
There has been no identified link to other cases from Melbourne in early March. The case, an adult male, was in both Australia (8 days) and Thailand (10 days) during the exposure period (18 days). However, it is most likely that the infection was acquired in Thailand as the incubation period is generally 7-18 days from exposure, usually around day 10.
Unfortunately, the notification was made late to the department, so it is only now that passengers are being warned via media release and some may already be showing early symptoms. It is critical that diagnosing doctors and laboratories notify the department as soon as they are aware of cases to enable immediate follow-up.
Children or adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or do not have documented evidence of immunity are considered to be susceptible to measles. People who are immunocompromised are also at risk.
